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Friday, January 16, 2009

No Swearing Please - We're Malaysians

Raman is much amused by an English translation of the Publication Guidelines from the Ministry of Internal Security (KDN) which landed in his email in-box (Mine too!)a few days ago. He notes that:

It is in Section 4 that the guidelines go into some specifics. The first sub-section is on writings and articles. Prohibited items include racial and religious prejudice. Okay. Sedition includes all of the former as well as (commentary on) politics and the economy that are contrary to "national principles". So, if the economy is bad you can't say it. Then comes the use of vulgar language. Okay, all you writers out there, if you are writing a story about construction workers, vegetable sellers or politicians in the Parliament, make sure they use proper language and anatomically correct descriptions. We're Malaysians, we don't swear. And, no sexual acts, please. By the way, mystery and mystical stories that conflict with Islamic principles are also not allowed.

The sender of the email was most tickled (though maybe that's the wrong choice of word) that sex-toys seemed to be listed under publications!!